Dennis Severs' House, located in Spitalfields, London, is set to introduce a new tour focused on its creator, Dennis Severs, and the queer lives of those who lived with him. Severs, a Californian who arrived in London in 1967, transformed the 18th-century-style home with interiors inspired by British costume dramas. He acquired the house in 1979 for £18,000 and opened it for immersive tours, weaving fictional stories about a Huguenot silk-weaving family.
By night, Severs hosted notable sex parties and frequented leather bars and sex clubs. His house became a haven for creativity and expression during a time of existential dread due to HIV/AIDS. Severs was known for his detailed and theatrical tours, which attracted notable individuals such as David Hockney and Princess Margaret. Severs passed away from AIDS in 1999, and the house ceased tours for over 20 years until reopening post-lockdown.
The new tour, "Simon’s Story," is directed by The Gentle Author and draws on personal narratives intertwined with historical fiction. It primarily explores Severs' relationship with Simon Pettet, an art student Severs met in 1983 at the club Heaven. Pettet, who crafted much of the delftware in the house, lived there until his death in 1993 at the age of 28. This new tour aims to reveal the intimate, real-life dramas behind the house's elaborate facades.
"Simon’s Story" begins on June 15, 2024, at Dennis Severs' House.